A Retrospective Study of Covid-19 Outbreak in 2025 at a Tertiary Care Chest Hospital, Karachi

Introduction: A significant resurgence of COVID-19 cases was observed in May 2025, characterized by an 11% positivity rate throughout the globe. Tertiary care chest diseases hospitals, such as the Ojha Institute of Chest Diseases (OICD) in Karachi, faced unique challenges due to a high concentration of patients with pre-existing pulmonary pathologies. The main aim of the study is to document the clinical characteristics and outcomes of all the cases having diagnosis of COVID-19 during this May—June 2025 outbreak. Methodology: This is a retrospective descriptive case series which was conducted at OICD, Dow University of Health Sciences. All twenty-two patients diagnosed with COVID-19 through PCR during May and June 2025 were analyzed. Parameters included demographics, comorbidities, laboratory markers, radiological findings (Chest X-ray/CT), and clinical outcomes. Treatment was standardized according to the Latest Sanford Guide to Antimicrobial Therapy. Results: The mean age was 38.36 years (range 17–70), with a slight female predominance (54.5%). Comorbidities were highly prevalent (63.6%), notably hypertension, diabetes, and active or prior tuberculosis. The mean oxygen saturation of 89.92% on room air. Radiologically, 77.3% of patients exhibited bilateral infiltrates. The average hospital stay was 8.64 days. Outcomes observed as 40.9% (n=9) improved, 18.2% (n=4) were referred for intensive care, and 18.2% (n=4) left against medical advice. A mortality rate of 22.7% (n=5) was recorded, primarily among those with critical disease at the time of initial presentation and/or with concomitant pulmonary diseases. Conclusion: The findings of the study underscore the need for high clinical suspicion, specialized management protocols for "double burden" patients and need for improved infection prevention and control strategies to prevent spread and improve survival rates in health care facilities even in the absence of outbreaks.